Tips to Save Money for Moms

1. Plan your meals ahead of time and use up leftovers. The average family throws out 14% of the food they buy uneaten.

2. You can recycle use ink cartridges at Staples and get $3 for each cartridge, up to $10 worth a month per address.

3. Shop at Costco and Sam's Club and stock up on nonperishables. A recent consumer magazine found that their prices were up to 37% lower than retail supermarkets.

4. Recycle your used electronics at Gazelle (www.gazelle.com).

16. Write down your thoughts. Journaling can be a great way to express your thoughts and feelings. It can also be a great way to think through a situation or get out a creative idea before it flies away.

17. “Line-Item Vito” your To-Do List. Many of us write our daily “To-Do” List as if we are Super Woman instead of a simple human being. Line-item vito at least three items that can wait for another day.

18. Write an “Already Done” List. The number of tasks in the day can be overwhelming to many moms. It is frustrating to do the same tasks, sometimes multiple times a day, just to do them again the next day (e.g., sweep the floor under the table, laundry, clean the kitchen, wipe down the bathroom, etc.). Having an “Already Done” List gives you the visual reminder/acknowledgement of the daily chores you completed.

19. Ask for help. While you might be the Almighty Multi-Tasker, you can’t do it all on your own. Ask your husband, kids, family and friends for the help you need. Often people don’t know that you need/would appreciate the help or how they could help you most.

20. Count your blessings. In the throws of “Mommy Brain” it is easy to forget that along with all of the craziness come many things to be thankful for. Take out a post-it note, use a dry-erase marker to write on your mirror, etc. and write down five things you are thankful for. Simply remembering those special people, events, or things can bring a smile to your face and a renewed sense of purpose.

Visit my website (www.modestmiddles.com) and email me with your favorite cure for “Mommy Brain” and be entered to win a Modest Middle! A special thanks to all my friends for their support and ideas!